The College鈥檚 plan to develop a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) is progressing steadily. The program is designed to broaden our commitment to preparing students for vital roles in health care.
With the concept developed in 2024, the College hopes to launch it in October 2027 following approval from the New York State Education Department.
One of the latest updates is the addition of Alicia Kelley, DScPAS, as the founding program director of the emergent program.
Dr. Kelley joins us following several instructional and administrative positions in the PA program at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. As an associate professor in the School of Physician Assistant Studies, she was involved in the development, oversight and instruction of the didactic phase of the PA program. As program director and dean, she successfully led the program through the accreditation site visit resulting in 10 years of continued ARC-PA accreditation.
In addition to her academic experience, she has worked clinically as a PA in hospital medicine, cardiovascular medicine, emergency medicine, vascular surgery and long-term acute care.听听听
Dr. Kelley holds a BS and MS in Physician Assistant/Health Sciences and a doctorate in PA studies from MCPHS, as well as a BA in Psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She is board certified by the National Commission on聽Certification聽of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
鈥淟eading this new PA program from the ground up is a thrilling opportunity,鈥� said Dr. Kelley. 鈥淲e are focused on developing a curriculum that exceeds accreditation requirements and fosters a patient-centered collaborative mindset, preparing students to excel in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.鈥�
Dr. Kelley’s hire follows the August 2025 announcement of Estevan Garcia, MD, as medical director for the emergent program. Dr. Garcia brings extensive expertise in clinical practice, higher education, public health, and health system leadership to this position.
Dr. Garcia recently joined Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, as their CEO and president. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Garcia, a specialist in pediatric emergency medicine, served as Chief Health and Wellness Officer聽(CHWO)聽at Dartmouth College聽and聽Assistant Professor of Pediatrics聽and聽Emergency Medicine聽at Dartmouth鈥檚聽Geisel School of Medicine.
He has a 30-year career in healthcare, previously serving as chief medical officer at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, a Mass General Brigham affiliate, in Northampton, MA, and at Brookdale University Hospital, in Brooklyn, NY; vice president and medical director for risk management at Hospitals Insurance Company; and interim CEO of Tewksbury Hospital in Tewksbury, MA.
Dr.聽Garcia聽received his medical degree from the聽University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.聽He completed a pediatrics residency and聽a聽pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at聽the聽Children鈥檚 Medical Center of Dallas,聽part of聽UT Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Garcia has聽earned聽a Master of Public Administration聽(MPA) degree聽from New York University and a聽doctorate in public health聽(DrPH)聽from City University of New York. He is board certified in general pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Next Steps for the PA Program
Additional recruitment efforts are underway for two principal faculty members and a clinical coordinator.
Plans to renovate a physical examination laboratory in the Holland Building are moving forward, and the proposal from the selected architectural firm has been approved.
The application to register the MPAS program as a licensed profession has been submitted to the New York State Education Department鈥檚 Office of Professions.
In parallel, President Tofade has played a key role in strengthening partnerships with regional medical centers to support supervised clinical practice experiences. Affiliation agreements are in place with Berkshire Health Systems and Ellis Hospital, and discussions with additional clinical partners are ongoing.
The goal is to launch the MPAS in October 2027.
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